To start school term late?

[HeyGoat]

Hello wise mumsnetters.

Myself and DH are moving abroad with our DD who just turned 3. For background, I work part time and we have a part time nanny and so she hasn’t gone to nursery yet. However, we feel it’ll be great for her to have some mornings at preschool starting from September. It’ll be a big move and our daughter is extremely shy and sensitive so don’t want it to be too much at once!

The preschool is part of the international school where we see her studying for a few years and we love it. However, our apartment won’t be ready until mid September and school starts in the first week. Given how sensitive she is to change - I’d rather not do an AirBNB and preschool and then move a few weeks later to our apartment.

Do you think it’s okay if we delay her starting preschool by say a month? We’d happily pay fees but it’s more about the missing out on the first day of term etc (although she may be overwhelmed at that).

The school have said that it’s fine, but wondering others views?

At this age, not an issue, theres no real set curriculum. If she is quite sensitive I would absolutely let her get used to the move before the nursery change.

That’s what I thought too. I’d rather she’s settled back into sleeping in a new room, saying bye to our nanny and DH and my family that she sees weekly etc.

And I forgot to add if it’s disruptive for the other children if I’m doing settling in etc and they’re all used to it already!

I wouldn't worry yourself with this, thats the schools job to manage. Im not sure of the rules abroad but in the UK for the school nursery's children can only join the term after they turn 3, so there are new kids joining every school term is the norm.

Not unreasonable at all to wait.Even if you wait until January I think that would be fine.

However, to offer another perspective, it’s possible that going to preschool would offer some continuity to her days and help to bridge the move, plus she would be away from all the packing up etc.

It’s your call as parents though, you know her best and whatever you choose is reasonable.

International schools are typically very good at managing different age groups coming and going , so it shouldn't be a problem. It should also give her chance to absorb the changes and at 3 isn't compulsory so just give it time.

I checked and it’s the same rules there regarding ages. Thank you all!

Not unreasonable at all. If your able to I would consider waiting until after Christmas for her to start so you can get properly settled

Will she be too old though? She’ll turn 4 in March and is that slightly too late to just be separating from us?